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British Firearms (Pre. 1914) >> Breech Loading - Military Rifles >> Westley Richard's - Various
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Message started by Dave on 11/23/06 at 12:54pm

Title: Westley Richard's - Various
Post by Dave on 11/23/06 at 12:54pm

Just a few questions for anyone interested in replying. Recently I've become curious about some the military or semi-military rifles offered by Westley Richard's. In particular I'm curious about the rifle that WR entered in the trials which eventuated in the adoption of the Snider. I noticed a posting from Bill Curtis in this forum (some months ago) that this rifle used an internally primed paper cartridge, which sounds quite interesting. Does anyone know anything more about this rifle?

Secondly I was wondering if anyone knows of a good picture or of description on how the action of the Monkey Tail worked. I've seen a good number of pictures of Monkey Tails, mainly profile views, but I've yet to see a good picture of the action.

Anyway, thanks to any who might respond.

Title: Re: Westley Richard's - Various
Post by Bill_Curtis on 11/23/06 at 11:41pm

In a few words - the plunger rests with its tail end lodged under a lip at the rear end of the receiver box. Raising the flap cams the plunger forward enough for the tail of the plunger to clear the lip as the flap is fully opened.

The felt wad on the base of the cartridge is essential not only to obturate but to allow the small forward movement of the plunger.

The greater the rearward pressure on the face of the plunger, the firmer it locks up - an excellent design.

The rare centre fire variation uses the same locking mechanism but is modified for the admission of a striker through the plunger. The cartridge for these uses a double felt wad sewn together with a the top hat primer inserted and locked into position by the wings being sandwiched between the felt layer.

Prolonged use as a muzzle loader in the percussion models is liable to concrete the plunger in with solid fouling which then makes the breech impossible to open.

I will post some pictures of the ammo for the WR Carbine later.

Title: Re: Westley Richard's - Various
Post by Bill_Curtis on 11/24/06 at 11:37pm

The MTs work best as Breech Loaders although at a later date numbers of unused MT barrels were breeched up as ML rifles for the cheap export market, mainly in South Africa.

The pictures are from part of the Official Ammunition Plate for this model of carbine.

The service charge for the carbine was 55 grains.

The plate of the bullet is not as clear as I would like but the overall length is 1.015 and the belt is .200. The belt diameter is .468 and the main part is .447. These do not include the paper. Nominal weight was 400 grains.

The felt wad for the base of the cartridge is .125 thick and .501 dia.

The complete cartridge illustrations show it unwrapped from its protective wrap for loading and with the wrap.

These arms can be muzzle loaded but never work so well as with the cartridge.

The MTs work best as Breech Loaders although at a later date numbers of unused MT barrels were breeched up as ML rifles for the cheap export market, mainly in South Africa.

The pictures are from part of the Official Ammunition Plate for this model of carbine.

The service charge for the carbine was 55 grains.

The plate of the bullet is not as clear as I would like but the overall length is 1.015 and the belt is .200. The belt diameter is .468 and the main part is .447. These do not include the paper. Nominal weight was 400 grains.

The felt wad for the base of the cartridge is .125 thick and .501 dia.

The complete cartridge illustrations show it unwrapped from its protective wrap for loading and with the wrap.

These arms can be muzzle loaded but never work so well as with the cartridge.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v711/whitworth451/WRCtgeComponents.jpg

Title: Re: Westley Richard's - Various
Post by RDavidson on 08/29/07 at 10:19pm

I am particularly interested in the information that might be available on the center fire version of the cartridge. It seems that a commercial sporting rifle by Westley Richards has turned up for sale in at least 90% condition. In talking to the gentleman who currently has this rifle, and from reviewing the pictures, it most certainly is not an externally capped version. I have several photographs of the rifle if that is of any help.

Title: Re: Westley Richard's - Various
Post by Bill_Curtis on 08/30/07 at 11:16pm

If it is the combustible cartridge version, then the ammo is like the illustrations above except for the double layer felt wad with the primer sewn into it. I have only a line drawing from the period which is probably not reliable (see "Wrinkles" by H.A.L. a.k.a. The Old Shekari, pseud. of Henry Astbury Leveson, Saunders Otley & Co., 1868). The carbine I examined had a wide flat faced striker, as wide as the head of a percussion cap, rather than a firing pin or needle as we understand them today.